I am taking a new approach to this months journal. I am journaling as I feel moved throughout the month.

April 2, 2020 - Today was the first day we did a preplanned learning activity. I was moved by how into it August was. My friend Kelly of Happy Takes Photo shared it with me - and it was a hit! I cut out eggs with letters and hid them around the house. When he found them, he brought them to hang in their place on a piece of tape that also had the letters.

We went to the beach today. The water was incredibly calm. Hugo came with us for the first time. They both went nuts for buckets out of the dollar bin. Hugo just banging his in the sand, and August filling and dumping sand. I sat with Hugo and watched as August would continue to inch closer to the edge of the surf. The atmosphere that early in the morning was calm and peaceful. He was safe, and I felt at ease, both of us in a good place in this big space. We love our Lake Michigan beaches and are so grateful for them and the joy they provide. August is always sure to note to me “playground closed,” and compare the size of the waves from the previous visit.

April 5, 2020 - I took August on a run to our favorite beach. It is about 1.5 miles to get there. The whole time he talks about all the cars we see, the bumps in the sidewalk, and how we will be at the beach soon.

When I say I had an incredibly disappointed boy on my hands, that is an understatement. There was a chain and padlock on the gate to the beach ramp, and a sign saying they closed. We were both let down, but both in our own ways understood. August didn’t cry, or melt down, but had a lot of questions and statements - “mama get key,” “dada find beach with August,” “mama please go to beach.” I wonder what his little mind was thinking - first school, then playgrounds, now my beach. We talked a lot about how we could look at the beach, and that it is closed because of germs and trying to stay safe. He was peaceful about it, but absolutely let down.

April 7, 2020 - I am angry today. I felt so much hope yesterday when WI Governor Tony Evers put through and executive order to move the primary vote (along with a massive school budget vote and other important positions) till June. Everything we are hearing from health practitioners and government tells us to stay home, stay away from each other, and stay healthy. MUCH to my dismay, the Supreme court overturned it 5-4. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE. Yes we did apply for absentee ballots (not an easy process either) but no, they have not arrived, and must be postmarked today. There are only 5 out of a usual 180 polling stations open today, with lines upward of 2 hours long. With both of us working from home and two little kids we are NOT taking to a crowded space today I am feeling lost. I feel so strongly about voting, as a right and a privilege and a must for so many reasons on so many levels. We don’t each have 2 hours to go wait in line to vote and possibly bring home illness to our families. What is the solution? Any thoughts? Voter suppression this is real and painful, and infuriating.

April 11, 2020 - We had both a 75 degree day and snow this week, so that is a pretty good indicator of how I am feeling. We also gave August the haircut from hell today. I like his mop look. Once we started, we were committed, and it. did. not. go. well. Good thing there is no warm weather in the forecast and he will be wearing a hat/not seeing anyone for the next few weeks anyways.

April 16, 2020 - The “Safer at Home” order was extended today until May 26th. I already knew a birthday party wasn’t going to happen for my boys, but Im le bummed. I want to go to the beach. Not so I can bask, but so August can squeal with glee. I’m helping my sister through all the decisions around cancelling her May 29th wedding. Things feel a little heavier, but on the bright side, hopefully we will be moving back home next week.

April 18, 2020 - We finally have a raised garden bed, this has boosted my personal joy level significantly. August is very into digging up the soil and “feeding” it to our boxwoods. Teeth #s 9+10 are starting to pop into Hugo’s mouth.

April 23, 2020 - August turned 3 today. I can’t even believe it has been 3 years since he came on out, a day late - always on his own schedule - to join us. It was bitter sweet, all I wanted to was to celebrate him in every way possible, and make his day rediculously special. Even though he knew it was his birthday and had been talking about it coming up, to him ultimately it was just another day, but with Pete’s Pops. I think I was more bummed than anything. August had a lovely day and was as excited as always for a new day! (Thank you to all of the beautiful friends and family who dropped rocks on our front porch for August, he is beyond thrilled with his exponentially larger collection that he is allowed to keep inside)

April 26, 2020 - Gave August part 4 of a hair cut that has been occurring over the past 3 weeks. I could not say it is my best work, and he wont let me touch the front so there is some serious bangs action going on.

April 27, 2020 - Photography of families allowed outside at a safe distance, excited but also cautious.

The second half of the month got busy + beautiful. I spent more time with my kiddos outside, hiking the ravine trail and soaking in the all beautiful things this lakefront city has to offer.

I hope that you are all finding peace and joy in this time. Even though the anxiety and worry about jobs, money, schooling, illness + so much more is right there on our mind always, I am grateful that we have this time as a little family together. Miss you all, miss hugs, miss convos over coffee, miss photographing amazing people.

What we’ve been up to, below: